The Gentle Art of Horseback Riding presents valuable information for riders at all levels who want to develop the confident rider–horse partnership that all horse lovers seek. Whatever discipline you ride, Bucklin’s unique and innovative methods illustrate the techniques through step-by-step instructions and full-color images.

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Horseback riding is one of the world's most popular activities. Much has been written about the various styles, techniques, and competitive events in the sport. But all too often resources, authors, and even instructors neglect the most important and unique aspect of riding: the relationship between rider and horse.

In The Gentle Art of Horseback Riding, Gincy Self Bucklin shares her horse-friendly approach for developing comfortable, competent riders. Its step-by-step lesson format makes it an excellent resource for those who teach riding to others.

Whether you are just beginning or have ridden before, Bucklin's methods can improve your skills and make you a better, more confident rider.

Inside The Gentle Art of Horseback Riding, you'll learn that the key to success at every level is understanding your horse and how to relate to him physically, mentally, and emotionally. This will help you advance more quickly, feel more confident, and have more fun.

Whether you have a serious or casual interest in the sport as a whole or just one of its many disciplines, The Gentle Art of Horseback Riding is a must-read. Insightful and fascinating, it will enhance the riding experience for you and your horse.

Contents

Preface

Taking a Different Approach
Laying a Proper Foundation

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 Starting out Right
Why you Need Professional Instruction
Finding the Right Instructor
Riding Attire

Chapter2 The Real Tools for Success
The Three Basics
The Seven Steps and Grounding
Safety Guidelines

Chapter 3 Getting to Know the Horse
Handling the Introduction in a Closed Space
Getting Acquainted Out in the Open
Grooming

Chapter 5 Taking Your First Real Ride
Using the Bareback Pad to Achieve a Secure Seat
Using the Grounding Strap
Mounting: Getting It Right From the Start
Following the Motion
Lateral Centering
Putting It All Together

Chapter 11 Handling the Reins and Preparing to Ride Solo
Picking Up the Reins
Lengthening the Reins
Shortening the Reins
Using the Grounding Strap and Stick with the Reins
The Sitting Trot or Jog
A Taste of Freedom

Chapter 12 Introduction to Riding In the Saddle
Preparing for Saddle Work
Mounting the Saddled Horse
Tightening the Girth While Mounted in the English Saddle
Dismounting From the Saddled Horse
Getting Comfortable
Your First Ride in the Saddle

Chapter 13 Saddling Up and Starting With Stirrups
Putting On the Saddle
Starting With the Stirrups
The n Position
The A Position
The Full Seat Forward Position
Sitting the Trot In the Saddle

Chapter 14 Half-Seat Positions and Preparing for Faster Gaits
Staying Grounded in the Half Seat
Working From the Hip Joint
Using the Grounding Strap in the Half Seat
Three-Quarter Seat Position
Half-Seat Open Position
Half-Seat Closed Position

Chapter 15 Bits, Bridling, and Introduction to Using the Reins
Putting On the Bridle
Using Hand Effects and Rein Effects to Communicate
The Active Hand
Introduction to the Leading Rein (English or Western Snaffle)
Introduction to Neck Reining (Western Curb)
Slowing or Stopping Using Direct Reins of Opposition (English or Western Snaffle)
Stopping Using Direct Reins of Opposition (Western)

Chapter 17 Cantering (Loping) and Galloping (Running)
Preparing to Canter
Bareback Cantering to the Left
Bareback Cantering to the Right
Cantering or Loping in the Saddle
Cantering in Half-Seat Position
Galloping or Running

Chapter 18 Leg Aids and Advanced Hand and Rein Effects
The Soft Leg
The Passive Hand
The Holding Hand
The Fixed Hand
Combing the Rein
The Taking Hand
Types and Applications of Leading Reins and Reins of Opposition
Developing Effective Aids.

Chapter 19 Handling Hills With Confidence
Riding Uphill In an English Saddle
Riding Downhill In an English Saddle
Polishing Your Skills
Handling Hills in a Western Or Other Deep-Seated Saddle
Putting Your Skills to Good Use

Chapter 20 Jumping Made Easy
Phases of the Jump
Staying Centered During the Jump
Teaching Your Body to Ride the Jump
Trusting the Horse
Giving the Horse His Head
Jumping Courses
Refusals and Runouts
Jumping for Western Riders

Conclusion
The Horse Already Knows What to Do
Break It Down
Use Punishment Sparingly and Correctly
Love, Trust, and Respect Your Horse

GlossaryAppendixes IndexAbout the Author

Gincy Self Bucklin has been teaching riding for more than 60 years. Her students have included recreational riders of all ages and levels, many of whom have also shown successfully and some of whom have become professionals themselves. While many experienced instructors teach only advanced riders, Gincy has also worked extensively with beginners and intermediates, believing that in order to be successful at the advanced level, riders must know and perfect the fundamentals from the start. She now works with instructors to share the teaching methods presented in her books.

Gincy’s mother was well-known equestrian author Margaret Cabell Self. Gincy was also fortunate to grow up in an area that had many world-class instructors and clinicians, including Sally Swift, George Morris, and Nuno Oliveira. Some of her early instructors trained with European trainers during the 1920s and ’30s while the cavalry, where much of the equine knowledge was developed, was still in existence. Gincy is a retired Centered Riding instructor and is an American Riding Instructors Association level IV instructor.

Gincy has been writing about horses and riding since 1987. She is the author of What Your Horse Wants You to Know, How Your Horse Wants You to Ride, and More How Your Horse Wants You to Ride. She has been a contributor to national horse magazines, including Equus and Horse Illustrated. Currently she writes a regular column for Riding Instructor, the quarterly publication of the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA), and maintains her own website, http://whatyourhorsewants.com. Gincy lives in East Dummerston, Vermont.

"Whatever your discipline, Gincy Bucklin’s innovative approach to learning the essential skills will help you become a confident rider on a calm, comfortable horse.”

Charlotte Kneeland-- Founder of the American Riding Instructor's Association

"The Gentle Art of Horseback Riding will be a valuable resource for those riders who are not lucky enough to take lessons directly from Gincy herself."Jessica Jahiel--Author of Horse-Sense Newsletter and The Horse Training Problem Solver, Horse Training Consultant

"Hands-on experience is the best teacher, and Gincy transmits this knowledge and experience through The Gentle Art of Horseback Riding. Anything Gincy writes is worth a read."

George H. Morris-- Legendary Trainer,

1960 Olympic Silver Medalist in Show Jumping “Gincy very deeply takes into consideration that a horse has feelings and personality and deserves to be treated with consideration, so the partnership is a mutual, respectful exchange. This book is a must for every rider, be he a beginner, fairly advanced, or of an upper level. It is also a great help for trainers who are teaching young horses the basics, then higher levels of being ridden in a relaxed, balanced, happy way. For riding instructors, this book will give very valuable insight on how to build up lessons and step-by-step teaching of their students.”Yvonne Lehey